Rule of Thirds![]() Imagine that your image is divided into 9 equal segments by 2 vertical and 2
horizontal lines. The Rule of Thirds says that you should position the most
important elements in your scene along these lines, or at the points where they
intersect. Doing so will add balance and interest to your photo. Some cameras
even offer an option to superimpose a rule of thirds grid over the LCD screen,
making it even easier to use.
Angle/ Viewpoint/ Vantage Point![]() Before photographing your subject, take time to think about where you will
shoot it from. Our viewpoint has a massive impact on the composition of our
photo, and as a result it can greatly affect the message that the shot conveys.
Rather than just shooting from eye level, consider photographing from high
above, down at ground level, from the side, from the back, from a long way
away, from very close up, and so on.
Texture![]() Texture particularly comes into play when light hits objects at interesting
angles. Texture can be used as one of the main parts of creating drama in a
photograph. Texture is pretty easy to capture and we may not even think of it
because texture is found in virtually everything.
Patterns![]() There are patterns all around us if we only learn to see them. Emphasizing and
highlighting these patterns can lead to striking shots – as can high lighting
when patterns are broken. Patterns, both natural and man-made, bring a sense of
visual rhythm and harmony to photographs that, like a series of repeating notes
in a melody, capture the imagination. Patterns appear whenever strong graphic
elements—lines, colors, shapes, or forms—repeat themselves.
Fill the Frame![]() By filling the frame you add instant impact to the image. You exclude
unnecessary clutter and bring a dynamic element to the photo. There is an
incorrect assumption that you have to have every part of a subject or object
for the image to be complete—not so. There is no reason why you can’t chop off
parts of the subject when getting in really close. When shooting a person, get
in really close and shoot just part of the model’s face. This gives a dramatic
effect.
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Line![]() When we look at a photo our eye is naturally drawn along lines. By thinking
about how you place lines in your composition, you can affect the way we view
the image, pulling us into the picture, towards the subject, or on a journey
"through" the scene. There are many different types of line -
straight, diagonal, curvy, zigzag, radial etc - and each can be used to enhance
our photo's composition.
Framing![]() The world is full of objects which make perfect natural frames, such as
trees, archways and holes. By placing these around the edge of the composition
you help to isolate the main subject from the outside world. The result is a
more focused image which draws your eye naturally to the main point of
interest.
Balancing/ Symmetry![]() Placing your main subject off-center, as with the rule of thirds, creates a
more interesting photo, but it can leave a void in the scene which can make it
feel empty. You should balance the "weight" of your subject by
including another object of lesser importance to fill the space. We are surrounded
by symmetry, both natural and man-made., They can make for very eye-catching
compositions, particularly in situations where they are not expected. Another
great way to use them is to break the symmetry in some way, introducing tension
and a focal point to the scene.
Depth of Field![]() Because photography is a two-dimensional medium, we have to choose our
composition carefully to conveys the sense of depth that was present in the
actual scene. You can create depth in a photo by including objects in the
foreground, middle ground and background. Another useful composition technique
is overlapping, where you deliberately partially obscure one object with
another. The human eye naturally recognizes these layers and mentally separates
them out, creating an image with more depth.
Shape![]() The way subjects connect to each other in a photo forms shapes that draw the
eye from subject to subject. If a photograph's composition lacks shape, the
photo becomes too busy or awkward to fully appreciate. Some shapes are more
effective than others in providing an interesting frame for your photo. For instance,
squares and circles tend to be too symmetrical and leave too much empty space
around the subjects. The shapes that work best for composition are triangles
and diamonds.
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